Happy Easter weekend, everyone! I hope you’re enjoying the holiday… and eating way too much Easter chocolate! Here in Ontario, it’s finally starting to feel like spring. Today in particular has been absolutely lovely: sunny with a high of 19; a welcome change from the frigid temperatures of late. If things continue this way, I might actually store my puffer coat away next week… fingers crossed!
I recently visited a place where spring hasn’t just sprung – it’s in full and glorious bloom! The Watering Can in the Niagara Region has transformed into a vibrant spring wonderland filled with gorgeous flowers, whimsical seasonal decor, and delicious Easter-themed treats. If you’ve been reading my blog since 2022 – first of all, thank you! – and second, you may remember The Watering Can from this post I did about a brunch in their greenhouse café. (Honestly, I’m almost embarrassed to link this post because of how over-exposed and over-saturated the photos are… I definitely have more chill when it comes to filters these days!)
The Watering Can isn’t your everyday garden centre: it’s a destination in itself! The sprawling 8,000-square-foot space has thousands of flowers and plants, an extensive collection of home decor, whimsical installations, a delicious bakery and bistro, and they even host their own flower arranging workshops. It’s located in Vineland (about 15km west of St. Catharines) and over the years, it’s become one of Niagara’s top tourist destinations! I hadn’t been to The Watering Can since that visit back in 2022, and on a recent trip to Niagara, I decided to pop in for a sweet treat and some retail therapy. I remember it being popular even back in 2022, but holy moly… this place has absolutely exploded in recent years! It’s bigger, better and busier than ever before. Not only was it packed with visitors in the middle of the day on a Thursday, but there was a half-hour wait to get a table at the bistro. (They don’t accept reservations, nor would I have even thought to make one!) I’m normally not a fan of crowds and wait times, but trust me: The Watering Can is worth it. But take my advice: if you want to eat at their bistro, go put your name on the waitlist as soon as you arrive, and then shop around while you wait for your table. You won’t be bored: the garden centre is massive, and there’s something around every corner to surprise and delight!
The heart of The Watering Can is their European-inspired flower market, which has the most beautiful selection of fresh-cut flowers. I love their “flower bar”, where you can mix and match your favourite blooms to build your own one-of-a-kind bouquet.
Flower and plant enthusiasts will be in absolute heaven here. From potted plants to hand-tied bouquets to cheerful spring planters, there are thousands of options to choose from.
I’d never heard of “euphorbia” before, but thought the name was so fitting (just drop the “b”!) because I instantly cheered up when I saw them.
The Watering Can is known for their extensive collection of cacti and succulents. I’m not exactly the world’s greenest thumb, so I love these low-maintenance plants. I’ve never been able to keep a potted plant alive indoors for longer than a few months, but I’ve now had the same succulent for over five years!
And don’t think you have to bring your new plant baby home in any boring old pot… The Watering Can has so many pretty vases, pots and planters, from the classic to the quirky.
They’ve also got some adorable lawn ornaments, and check out this adorable gnome village (I have no idea if that’s what it’s actually called, but it’s the first phrase I thought of…)
Of course, they have tons of cute Easter decor. I picked up one of these bunnies to take home…
Who doesn’t love an Easter tree!?
At “The Cannery”, you can buy locally made jams, jellies and preserves.
If there’s anything I love more than pretty flowers, cute holiday decor and homemade jam, it’s a great photo op… and The Watering Can definitely delivers on that front. The store is filled with whimsical and playful installations: from greenery-laden pianos to succulent-filled bathtubs to their signature hippie van.
I’d love to meet the designer behind these installations… such a creative mind!
Dripping with cascading garlands of pink and purple flowers, this Insta-worthy gazebo is The Watering Can’s newest installation for spring.
After wandering and shopping for a while, I was working up an appetite, so I was glad when I got the text that my bistro table was ready! The bistro serves a full lunch menu of sandwiches, salads, soups and flatbreads, but honestly… all I wanted was cheesecake. I decided to start with dessert and order a sandwich afterwards if I was still hungry, but turns out, the cheesecake was so huge that I was too full to eat anything else! (If nothing else, one of the perks of adulthood is getting to eat cake for lunch if you feel like it.)
The Watering Can’s Pastry Market is the answer to a sweet tooth’s prayer: they have cakes, cookies, brownies, squares, tarts… all available for takeout or dine-in. Currently, they’re featuring a seasonal spring menu of all things mini egg!
I LOVE mini eggs, so of course I had to order the mini egg latte and cheesecake. This cheesecake was almost too pretty to eat! Three multicoloured pastel layers of creamy cheesecake on a chocolate cookie crust, topped with a “nest” of whipped cream, toasted coconut, and of course, mini eggs. It was delicious, and as I mentioned above, a hefty portion! I recommend coming hungry or bringing a friend or two with you…
In addition to lunch, coffee and dessert, The Watering Can Bistro also offers a “Tropical Garden Tea” which must be reserved in advance. They’re also running a special Mother’s Day Tea from May 3-12, and spots are already selling out fast – if you’re interested, I’d recommend booking soon! And be sure to check out their spring workshop calendar here: they have various classes where you can learn how to craft beautiful centerpieces, planters and floral arrangements. You can even decorate sugar cookies or make string art vases. The workshops all look like so much fun – I’m definitely adding this to my 2025 bingo card!
If you get a chance to visit The Watering Can, please drop me a line and let me know how you liked it – I’d love to hear your thoughts. Until next time, I hope everyone has a great weekend and a wonderful Easter!
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